Fields of work
Normalization of relations/dialogue
NSI contributes to normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina
Beograd – Pristina; Photo: EPA / Valdrin Xhemaj
NSI facilitates open exchange on the Brussels dialogue and normalization process among opinion-makers from civil society from Kosovo and Serbia. Moreover, NSI provides evidence-based independent analyses and recommendations for decision-makers involved in the process.
Key Assumptions:
– There is a need for fostering a regular in-depth dialogue between civil society actors engaged in the normalization of relations from both sides, so to be able to propose improvements to the Track I dialogue among the officials based on an in-depth understanding of internal political dynamics and sentiments on both sides and NSI is well-positioned to facilitate such dialogue.
– NSI will represent and include diverse representatives of the Kosovo Serbs community in the dialogue between civil society actors from different sides, which will add important voices and perspectives to the process.
– NSI is capable of delivering high quality analysis using the evidence collected through qualitative and quantitative research, and producing recommendations for which NSI is able to advocate with decision makers.
To see the projects we are implementing or have implemented in the area of Normalization of relations/Dialogue, see our Reference List.
Normalization of relations/dialogue
NSI contributes to normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina
Beograd – Pristina; Photo: EPA / Valdrin Xhemaj
NSI facilitates open exchange on the Brussels dialogue and normalization process among opinion-makers from civil society from Kosovo and Serbia. Moreover, NSI provides evidence-based independent analyses and recommendations for decision-makers involved in the process.
Key Assumptions:
– There is a need for fostering a regular in-depth dialogue between civil society actors engaged in the normalization of relations from both sides, so to be able to propose improvements to the Track I dialogue among the officials based on an in-depth understanding of internal political dynamics and sentiments on both sides and NSI is well-positioned to facilitate such dialogue.
– NSI will represent and include diverse representatives of the Kosovo Serbs community in the dialogue between civil society actors from different sides, which will add important voices and perspectives to the process.
– NSI is capable of delivering high quality analysis using the evidence collected through qualitative and quantitative research, and producing recommendations for which NSI is able to advocate with decision makers.
To see the projects we are implementing or have implemented in the area of Normalization of relations/Dialogue, see our Reference List.
Trustbuilding and Dealing with the Past
New Social Initiative supports different approaches to Trustbuilding and Dealing with the Past initiatives among communities
NSI intents to achieve several outcomes in order to meet this goal:
– NSI will be the channel of positive stories on inter-ethnic relations and reaching wider public by offering the innovative communication tools for visual and public affairs influencers (YouTubers, Instagramers, TikTokers, Journalists, Professionals and CSOs);
– NSI will be the convener and facilitator for structured exchange of attitudes and opinions, thus supporting trust building and collaboration among CSOs speaking on behalf of different ethnic groups in Kosovo;
– NSI will harvest and spread counter-narratives and positive stories, thus creating space for exchange and dialogue by partnering with media and digital outlets across Kosovo.
Key Assumptions:
– New innovative solutions for trust building will resonate better with citizens, especially youth, and the positive frame of the inter-ethnic relations could disrupt diminish the strength and malign influence of the negative narratives they were socialized in;
Photo: Emerging Europej
– “Pockets of Freedom” or forums, which remove the publicity constraints, will strengthen the bonds between CSOs from different communities, thus increasing the trust between them and allowing them to establish stronger coalitions on crucial societal topics, especially those related to the inclusion of the non-majority communities;
– Engaging different audiences with opposite narratives on the same topic will soften the rooted stereotypes about the “other” communities and address the grievances from the past, and will fertilize the ground for trust building.
To see the projects we are implementing or have implemented in the area of DwP/trust-building, see our Reference List.
Trustbuilding and Dealing with the Past
New Social Initiative supports different approaches to Trustbuilding and Dealing with the Past initiatives among communities
Photo: Emerging Europej
NSI intents to achieve several outcomes in order to meet this goal:
– NSI will be the channel of positive stories on inter-ethnic relations and reaching wider public by offering the innovative communication tools for visual and public affairs influencers (YouTubers, Instagramers, TikTokers, Journalists, Professionals and CSOs);
– NSI will be the convener and facilitator for structured exchange of attitudes and opinions, thus supporting trust building and collaboration among CSOs speaking on behalf of different ethnic groups in Kosovo;
– NSI will harvest and spread counter-narratives and positive stories, thus creating space for exchange and dialogue by partnering with media and digital outlets across Kosovo.
Key Assumptions:
– New innovative solutions for trust building will resonate better with citizens, especially youth, and the positive frame of the inter-ethnic relations could disrupt diminish the strength and malign influence of the negative narratives they were socialized in;
– “Pockets of Freedom” or forums, which remove the publicity constraints, will strengthen the bonds between CSOs from different communities, thus increasing the trust between them and allowing them to establish stronger coalitions on crucial societal topics, especially those related to the inclusion of the non-majority communities;
– Engaging different audiences with opposite narratives on the same topic will soften the rooted stereotypes about the “other” communities and address the grievances from the past, and will fertilize the ground for trust building.
To see the projects we are implementing or have implemented in the area of DwP/trust-building, see our Reference List.
Citizen participation
NSI is working on increasing non-majority participation in decision making processes for the purpose of getting better services and making institutions more accountable
Source: NSI photo archive
NSI works to achieve this goal on both supply and demand side of the citizen participation: 1) on the demand side, the outcomes of our engagement are the benefits that citizens have by utilizing the mechanisms of citizens’ participation, and 2) the creation of low profile community spaces which will support resonant voices; 3) on the supply side, the outcomes of our activities will be established and improved participation mechanisms in the institutions (in mostly Kosovo Serb majority municipalities).
Key Assumptions:
– The increased demand for the better services will boost the efficiency of the institutions and increase their accountability;
– Resonant voices are reluctant to speak out because of the non-pluralistic nature of the political arena of the Kosovo Serb community, but their participation in closed group discussions will encourage them to speak up in the future and preserve social capital required for any collective action;
– Kosovo Serb majority municipalities will be open for cooperation on non-controversial issues, and will accept the citizen participation mechanisms.
To see the projects we are implementing or have implemented in the area of Citizen Participation, see our Reference List.
Citizen participation
NSI is working on increasing non-majority participation in decision making processes for the purpose of getting better services and making institutions more accountable
Source: NSI photo archive
NSI works to achieve this goal on both supply and demand side of the citizen participation: 1) on the demand side, the outcomes of our engagement are the benefits that citizens have by utilizing the mechanisms of citizens’ participation, and 2) the creation of low profile community spaces which will support resonant voices; 3) on the supply side, the outcomes of our activities will be established and improved participation mechanisms in the institutions (in mostly Kosovo Serb majority municipalities).
Key Assumptions:
– The increased demand for the better services will boost the efficiency of the institutions and increase their accountability;
– Resonant voices are reluctant to speak out because of the non-pluralistic nature of the political arena of the Kosovo Serb community, but their participation in closed group discussions will encourage them to speak up in the future and preserve social capital required for any collective action;
– Kosovo Serb majority municipalities will be open for cooperation on non-controversial issues, and will accept the citizen participation mechanisms.
To see the projects we are implementing or have implemented in the area of Citizen Participation, see our Reference List.
Changing Tides: What Opposition Gains Mean For Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue
09/10/2026
Changing Tides: What Opposition Gains Mean for the Kosovo–Serbia Dialogue summarizes the key insights from an informal discussion held on 21 May, examining how political developments in Kosovo and Serbia may shape the future of the normalization process. The discussion highlights the structural deadlock at the heart of the dialogue, the evolving positions of Prime Minister Albin Kurti and President Aleksandar Vučić, the role of opposition actors and Serbia’s student movement, and the deteriorating state of inter-community relations. While opposition forces on both sides have gained visibility, participants concluded that neither currently offers a coherent alternative capable of breaking the impasse, raising concerns that continued stagnation may further undermine the prospects for a sustainable settlement.
This report is based on the discussions, which were held under the Chatham House Rule. This report was made possible with support from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). The opinions and views of the report does not necessarily stat or reflect the views of NSI, NED, or of individual participants. It is simply a brief summary of the discussions.
Countercurrent Dialogue in a State of Limbo; Women-Led Dialogue in Kosovo
30/04/2026
This policy brief is part of the project “Dialogue after Peace? A Gender Perspective on
Track Two Dialogues in Colombia, Kosovo, and the Philippines”, funded by the Swiss
Network for International Studies. The research inquired into women-led, informal
dialogue initiatives in these three post-agreement contexts and examined how these
contribute to sustaining and reimagining peace. Research in Kosovo was conducted
in partnership with New Social Initiative (NSI) and Artpolis, Pristina, and with Prof.
Vjollca Krasniqi of the University of Pristina. Six Focus Group Discussions and eight
individual interviews were conducted in September 2024 with a total of 40 women
participants in Pristina and North Mitrovica.
KPDS 2025 Report
10/02/2026
The KPDS Report 2025 summarizes key discussions and insights from the 4th Kosovo Peace and Democracy Summit, examining disinformation, democratic backsliding, and the role of dialogue and civil society in strengthening democratic resilience in the Western Balkan
Trade Barriers as a Political Instrument Consequences of the Ban on Serbian Goods in Kosovo
21/11/2025
Trade barriers are among the most common instruments of economic protectionism, but in politically unstable environments they become tools of political pressure. In Kosovo, this phenomenon is evident in the measures that local authorities in Pristina have introduced against goods from central Serbia. From the 100% tariffs imposed at the end of 2018 to the complete import ban in 2023, trade has been used as an instrument of political signaling rather than a neutral channel of economic exchange.1
The key problem lies in the fact that the measures directly affected the Serbian com- munity in Kosovo, which depends on a stable inflow of basic foodstuffs, medicines, and consumables. In practice, disruptions in supply chains have caused shortages, rising prices, and uncertainty in public services such as pharmacies and health cen- ters. Small shops, which form the backbone of the local economy, have faced clo- sure due to increased costs and uncertainty. These consequences are not short-term; rather, they create sustained pressure on the economic and social survival of the Ser- bian community.
This concerns thousands of citizens whose everyday lives depend on the availability of goods. If the problem is not resolved, there is a risk of irreversible consequences: the permanent loss of local trading networks, a deterioration in health due to shortag- es of medicines, and a heightened sense of isolation and insecurity. In the long term, this could weaken social cohesion and trust in any institutional processes.
The problem also goes beyond the local level. It encompasses the broader framework of regional integration (CEFTA, European processes), as well as trust in international actors mandated to oversee the implementation of agreements. If trade continues to be used as an instrument of politics, this undermines regional stability and every effort toward the normalization of relations.
This paper proceeds from the standpoint that trade must not be a means of politi- cal blackmail. It focuses on analyzing the mechanisms of the politicization of trade, identifying its economic, social, and political consequences, and formulating feasible recommendations that can provide a minimum of predictability and security for the Serbian community in Kosovo.
Problem of Lake Gazivode
21/11/2025
Lake Gazivode stands as one of the most critical yet contested resources in the West- ern Balkans. Supplying water, electricity, and ecological stability to communities in both Kosovo and Serbia, it embodies overlapping technical, political, and security dimen- sions. This paper examines the Gazivode problem as a convergence of political dead- lock, institutional ambiguity, infrastructural vulnerability, ecological fragility, and social dependence. Building on analyses by multiple sources the study maps the multi-layered challenges and evaluates possible pathways for sustainable management. Proposed solutions include short-term technical modernization under the supervision of neutral third parties, joint monitoring mechanisms that avoid the recognition trap, ecological cooperation through international platforms, scenario planning for crisis situations, and long-term, but currently aspirational, institutionalization. The paper argues that while no single solution is sufficient, combining technical improvements, ecological adaptation, and incremental confidence-building offers the best chance of transforming Gazivode from a potential flashpoint into a stabilizing resource.